Glenn Pressler (1915-1990), a bass-baritone vocalist, performed as a soloist or in choruses in New York City in the 1940s and early 1950s. In the 1970s and 1980s, he worked at Herbert Barrett Management, where he managed the careers of the vocalists Eileen Farrell and Morley Meredith. The Glenn Pressler papers, dating from 1897 to 1988, document Pressler’s careers in vocal performance and artist management. They hold correspondence, concert programs, photographs, clippings, and memorabilia.

Biographical/historical information

Glenn Pressler (1915-1990) was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A bass-baritone vocalist, he performed as a soloist or in choruses in New York City in the 1940s and early 1950s. Pressler appeared on stage, in radio, and in musical comedies, and sang under notable conductors such as Fred Waring, Robert Shaw, Leon Barzin, Serge Koussevitsky, Arturo Toscanini, and Leopold Stokowski. Among the venues he performed in were the Metropolitan Opera House, Carnegie Hall, and Steinway Hall. Pressler also taught voice at Steinway Hall, and conducted the Socony Vacuum Singers for a few years (the membership of the group was drawn from the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, which later changed its name to Mobil).

From the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, Pressler worked at Herbert Barrett Management, where he managed the careers of the vocalists Eileen Farrell and Morley Meredith. Pressler continued to represent Farrell after his departure from Barrett.

Glenn Pressler died in 1990 at Calvary Hospital, Bronx, N.Y.

Scope and arrangement

The Glenn Pressler papers, dating from 1897 to 1988, document Pressler’s careers in vocal performance and artist management. They hold correspondence, concert programs, photographs, clippings, and memorabilia including autographed programs and letters. The collection is in three divisions: General File, Artist Management, and Performance.

The General File holds programs for concerts Pressler attended or helped produce, and autographed cards, letters, photographs, and sketches. These include a signed card to Herbert Barrett from the painter Louis Eilshemius and an 1897 letter from Eilshemius; a program inscribed to Barrett from Pablo Casals; a sketch of the British soprano Rita Hunter, inscribed to Pressler; and a photograph of an unidentified musician, also inscribed to Pressler.

Correspondence and brochures comprise the records of Pressler’s career at Herbert Barrett Management and afterward. They are in three divisions: General, Eileen Farrell, and Morley Meredith. General files contain correspondence regarding Barrett Management business not related to a particular artist, as well as company brochures. The Farrell and Meredith files hold biographies, correspondence regarding bookings and repertoire, and personal correspondence from the artists.

Programs, correspondence, clippings, and photographs evidence Pressler’s performance career from 1943 to 1952. Some of the programs are signed by other performers or conductors, and include programs for appearances at Carnegie Hall, with the Socony Vacuum Singers, and at various churches and synagogues.

Arrangement

The collection is in three divisions: General File, Artist Management, and Performance Career.

Administrative information

Custodial history

Glenn Pressler left his possessions to his partner, Richard Light. Upon Light’s death in 2000, Pressler’s papers were left to their neighbor, Gabriele Knecht.